Pride ponderings

[misslynx]

So, I had been kind of undecided as to what to do about Pride this year, in that (for non-locals, and anyone local who somehow hasn't heard) it had become a huge political mess, due to controversy over a pro-Palestinian group called Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) which some people perceive as being anti-semitic (despite the fact that, one

Comments

[50_ft_queenie]

The Pride Gala on the street does sounds like a lot of fun. Hey, I'm a goth, so I'll jump at *any* excuse to dress up in public!

My main issue with the whole thing was Pride Toronto, IMHO, clumsy handling of the whole affair. Censorship is a very slippery and dangerous slope, and it disturbed me to me Pride heading in that direction. Hearing that Pride Toronto locked it doors against several community leaders and called the police on them is even more disturbing.

The queer community has long prided itself on being willing to speak uncomfortable truths. How did Pride Toronto *think* the queer community was going to react to their censoring of QuAIA and their subsequent refusal to listen to the concerns of community leaders? With acquiescence and agreement?

I love the Dyke March, but I'm going to Take Back the Dyke this year because the grassroots nature of it really appeals to me. Um....and I'm going to see Cyndi Lauper's free concert because I am a shameless child of the 80's.

[tamago23]

Honestly, for me, it's mostly to do with the social aspect. So I'll be where my friends are. July 4 is the only day I'm available this year, but I'll be wherever my friends are, and I would have done the same even if Pride Toronto hadn't backed down.

I'm bummed to read that about Helen Thomas. I met her once at a press conference. We had a conversation and she told me I'd make a great journalist. I've always carried that with me. It's a damn shame to see the way she went out, and she definitely brought it on herself.

[sabotabby]

I am Jewish, lost members of my family during the Holocaust (though, granted, not anyone I was likely to have met had they lived, but I nevertheless grew up with it drummed into me), and am entirely in favour of QuAIA. I marched with them last year and can attest to the fact that nothing they said or wore was anti-Semitic in the least. (The hysteria of the "swastika" was particularly funny, given that I took a picture of it. It was a swastika-crossed out

[forestweaver]

From a total outsider perspective, it sounds like Pride Toronto needs to get its act together this year.

I don't think this should even be a censorship issue, even though it sounds like the way it has been spun.

Sure every major event has its "headdesk people did what?!" moments. That is how people learn and unfortunately we don't get to turn back time.

HOWEVER, it does sound like ED and board needs to show basic transparency / accountability, have better financial audits and respond better to the community / public / media this year.

You'd think non-profits would realize this as they get bigger.

[tormenta]

This all sounds about right to me.

As part of the Random Queers, a marching group for queers who just want to be loudly proudly queer and parade doing so, ... Well, the reason we march under that banner is because pride for me is about standing up and announcing our presence. And I want t do that from inside the community and existing events.